IT IS always a temptation to an armed and agile nationTo call upon a neighbour and to say: –
"We invaded you last night – we are quite prepared to fight, Unless you pay us cash to go away."

And that is called asking for Dane-geld,And the people who ask it explain
That you've only to pay 'em the Dane-geldAnd then you'll get rid of the Dane!

It is always a temptation for a rich and lazy nation,To puff and look important and to say: –
"Though we know we should defeat you, we have not the time to meet you.We will therefore pay you cash to go away."

And that is called paying the Dane-geld; But we've proved it again and again,
That if once you have paid him the Dane-geld You never get rid of the Dane.

It is wrong to put temptation in the path of any nation, For fear they should succumb and go astray;
So when you are requested to pay up or be molested,You will find it better policy to say: --

"We never pay any-one Dane-geld, No matter how trifling the cost;
For the end of that game is oppression and shame, And the nation that plays it is lost!"